Interspecific tree named: ‘Flavor Rouge’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree [ Prunus salicina× ( Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca )]. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   2. Fruit with a high average Brix of 19.2°.   3. Heavy and regular bearer of fruit.   4. Fruit holding firm on the tree 2 weeks after maturity (shipping ripe).   5. Vigorous, upright tree growth.   6. Fruit with an attractive red skin color.

Botanical classification: [Prunus salicina×(Prunus salicina×Prunusarmeniaca)].

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against thisbackground of our activities that the present variety of interspecifictree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimentalorchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of plum trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Queen Rosa’ Plum (non-patented) and ‘Red Beaut’ Plum(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of interspecific tree [Prunus salicina×(Prunussalicina×Prunus armeniaca)] was originated by us in our experimentalorchard located near Modesto, Calif. as an open pollinated seedlingselection of the proprietary interspecific seedling with fieldidentification number ‘293LF464’. The interspecific seedling (293LF464)originated from a cross of ‘Queen Rosa’ Plum (non-patented) with theproprietary plumcot selection ‘2G1180’. The plumcot selection (4G1180)(Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca) originated from an open pollinatedselection seedling of ‘Red Beaut’ Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539),which crossed with an apricot of unknown parentage. A large group ofthese open pollinated seedlings were planted and grown on their own rootsystem. Under close and careful observation, one such seedling, which isthe present variety, exhibited desirable fruit characteristics and, in1996, was selected for asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new interspecific tree is of large size, vigorous, upright growthand a productive and regular bearer of small to medium size fruit withvery good flavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterizedby having firm flesh, holding firm on the tree 2 weeks after maturity(shipping ripe), being moderately juicy with a good balance between acidand sugar and having good handling and storage quality. In comparison tothe parent plum ‘Red Beaut’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539), the new varietyis approximately 10 days later in maturity, has a multicolored fleshcompared to yellow, has improved flavor with a higher Brix and has aslightly darker skin color. In comparison to ‘Queen Rosa’ Plum(non-patented), the fruit of the new variety is smaller in size, moreround in shape and is approximately 10 days earlier in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large. Usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height for            economical harvesting of fruit.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the            first growing season. Varies with fertility of soil,            cultural practices and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 30°.            Heavy crop load increases crotch angle.        -   Productivity.—Heavy, thinning and spacing of fruit necessary            for desired market size.        -   Bearer.—Regular, 4 consecutive years of adequate fruit set.            No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollenizer required.        -   Density.—Medium dense. Pruned to vase shape to allow more            sunlight and air movement into center of tree to enhance            fruit color and health of fruit spurs.        -   Hardiness.—Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Hardy in all            stone fruit areas of California. Winter chilling requirement            of approximately 500 hours at or below 45° F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Size — medium. Average circumference 43.1 cm at 20.3            cm from ground on a 6 year old tree.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, gets rougher with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 4/2 to 5Y 6/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 18.2 cm at 0.9            meters above ground.        -   Surface texture.—New growth smooth. Mature growth medium            rough.        -   Lenticels.—Size — medium. Average length 2.4 mm. Average            width 0.9 mm. Average number of 31 in a 25.8 square cm            surface of branch. Color varies from 5YR 5/8 to 7.5YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 6/8 to 5Y 4/6. Mature            growth varies from 10YR 4/6 to 2.5YR 4/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 101.1 mm. Average            width 46.3 mm.        -   Form.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cunate.        -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly            indented over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface            relatively smooth, small ridges created by midrib and            pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 11.7 mm. Average width 1.4 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies            from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 6/6.        -   Glands.—Reniform. Size — small to medium. Average length            0.9 mm. Average width 0.6 mm. Average number 3, varies from            2 to 4. Located on base of leaf blade and upper portion of            petiole. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/4 to 5GY 6/4.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/6 to 7.5GY 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 5GY 5/4 to 7.5GY 6/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 10.8 mm. Average diameter 6.6            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California.        -   Form.—Conical, becomes slightly elongated just before            opening.        -   Pedicel.—Long in length, thin in width, glabrous. Average            length 11.4 mm. Average width 0.6 mm. Color varies from            2.5GY 8/6 to 2.5GY 8/8.        -   Color.—N 9.5/.        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average 3, varies from 1 to 6.-   Flowers:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average height 10.3 mm. Average diameter 21.3            mm.        -   Petals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            medium. Average length 12.1 mm. Average width 9.0 mm. Shape            — obovate, narrows at point of attachment. Margin — sinuate.            Color N 9.5/.        -   Sepals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            small. Average length 4.6 mm. Average width 3.0 mm. Margin —            entire. Shape — triangular, slightly rounded apex. Color —            upper surfaces varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/8. Lower            surface varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/10. Both surfaces            glabrous.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 32. Average filament            length 6.0 mm. Filament color N 9.5/. Anther color varies            from 2.5Y 7/2 to 5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollenizer required. Color varies from            2.5Y 7/12 to 5Y 7/8.        -   Pistil.—Normally one. Average length 9.5 mm. Surface            glabrous. Stigma height even with anthers. Color varies from            10Y 8/8 to 2.5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate aroma.        -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 20, 2004. Date of            Petal Fall Feb. 28, 2004. Varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Color.—N 9.5/.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Usually 2, varies from 1 to            3.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 13.2 mm. Average width 0.7 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/8.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 10, 2004.        -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 15, 2004, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Small to medium. Average diameter axially 47.9 mm.            Average transversely in suture plane 47.7 mm. Average weight            67.2 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,            amount of thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.        -   Apex.—Very slightly enlarged, slight projection.        -   Base.—Nearly flat, slightly refuse.        -   Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 8.4 mm. Average diameter 12.2 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Long and slender. Average length 17.8 mm. Average            diameter 1.7 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 5/6 to 2.5Y 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier near skin surface.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Moderate amount, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, similar to firmness of ‘Red Beaut’ Plum            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539).        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average 19.2°, varies slightly with amount of fruit            per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8/6 near stone to 7.5R 3/10 near            skin surface. Pit cavity varies from 10YR 4/6 to 10YR 5/6.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Bloom.—Moderate, complete coverage.        -   Tendency to crack.—Slight.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 7/6 to 2.5Y 8/6.            Overspread with 5R 3/6 to 5R 3/8. Very small, randomly            spaced area of ground color showing to skin surface giving a            speckling pattern.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Small. Average length 21.7 mm. Average width 16.9 mm.            Average thickness 9.8 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Relatively flat, some stones slightly pointed.        -   Apex.—Slightly pointed. Average length 0.9 mm.        -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout, one small, narrow            groove on each side of suture.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Several small, short, narrow ridges extending from            base toward apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 6/4 to 7.5YR 5/6 when dry.-   Kernal:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 12.6 mm. Average width 8.9 mm.            Average thickness 4.6 mm.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Viability.—Viable, embryo developed.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/4 to 5Y 9/6 when dry.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 2 weeks at 38° to    42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or    appreciable loss of eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh    bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during    indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,    virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and being a productive and regular bearer of small tomedium size, clingstone fruit with very good flavor and eating quality;the fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh, holding firm onthe tree 2 weeks after maturity (shipping ripe), and in comparison tothe ‘Red Beaut’ Plum, the new variety has multicolored flesh compared toyellow and is approximately 10 days later in maturity.